New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-08
BURYING MS FIVE SONS.

TrOr me Philadelphia Nsirs
LycOming County farmer blessed by the possession
OF broad ami fat cattle. and fatter cash account
had given his I'VE ns-lnore precious than all else
bcsde-that the Union might DO preserved. His name
WAS Rankin His wife was dead and his boys were his
only soace. but when the war against his country wa.
Coroanus when che said Hal dozen sons. each IN
my love alike had rather have eleven die noby foi
their country than one yOluptuously surfeit out o
action" 30 the Rankin boys went to confront grlm
fertile the rank growth OF tie Peninsula and ther bodies
lay unclaimed amid the thousands who had gone down
Ia the OF battle The bowed but not broken father
10 the Governors office In Harrisburg with his tae
OF Andrew Curtin never turned dear ear 70 such
he He said You are too old man To go after your
sons bodies. ! will send messenger for them. and
you rest assured that you Will be enabled to give
them burial"
And this was done
After tho second battle OF Manassas the aged father
saying word. seated himself The Governor recognized
him at once and Thought, Can II be that this old man
has afflicted again e. He babe him approach. The
visitors voice broken but his tears did not fall rs he
said: Governor. another OF thon has gone Tor
wrung the horny hard OF the despoed father When he
You must not co. will send for him. You shall
see him again"
When news Of the battle OF Gettysburg reached Harris
burg Governor Curtin travelled rapidly across country
ami viewed that memorable conflict After Its con
cuson he returned Harrisburg and seated late al
night IN his when again Rankin entered without
God" Thought Mr. Curtin. 1t cannot be that blow
has fallen upon this Old man again" lie could moi
bring himself to ask the question, and for fully fifteen
minutes sat In their room, their heads upon
their bands and neither uttered word At last the old
said he seadied his voice: Governor, the other
two are gone"
The other two This Is terrible"
~Yes, Governor the other two They have taken then
all"
lie wished pass enter the lines that he might take
home his silent sons. You arc too DID," said the
angulshed Governor " I Will send for them and they
shall be taken home"
And this WAS done.
After Governor Curtin had returned 10 this country
close of his five years residence ut the Court OF
Russia he was In Philadelphia when IL intimated 10
him that Mr. Rankin, who still alive, would be high
ly delighted II his bcnefactOr would pay him visit when
the ex Minister was his way his home In Centre
County Mr. Curtin said that he would comply with the
WISH and when he reached the railroad station nearest
10 the ycOming County farmers home he found the old
waiting for him with carriage tt at evening the
people Of tho surrounding country, at Mr. Rankin's
bidding nockcd 10 do honor u tho Ex-Governor The
next morning after partaking of breakfast such rs
only Pennsylvania farmhouse can produce, the aged
Agricultural invited Mr.. Curtin 10 join him In walk
He led the way a wooded knoll the house, and
atop which was a beautifully sod1ed incosure sur
rounded by iron railing. Within II were five mounds
and live hca1stones The old man pointed toward them
and simply said Governor, there they le" Both men
bowed their heads and neither uttered word. In few
moments Rankin turned away with CHEEKY remark
about tho surrounding country, and from that moment
during the two days festivities that succeeded Mr..
Curtns arrival the desoae father again referred
to his sleeping sons.